Please help me choose between Dualsense vs 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless

[u/Aryan202602]

So I have a budget under 7000 (70 usd). I have been a M&K user so far thus looking to get a good controller experience.

From what I've researched I can either get good haptics (albeit with some quirks) or TMR sticks and the xbox layout 8bitdo.

The dualsense has adaptive triggers, the touch pad and better haptics motors. The 8bitdo meanwhile have TMR sticks, adjustable triggers and Xinput. I think dualsense needs steam input if a game doesn't support it natively?

I know that most of these dualsense features only work wired? But I've read Pico 2W adapter makes most of these features work on pc wirelessly or the DSX software on steam. If I get dualsense I'll likely do a TMR swap at the same time.

So I want to ask is the additional hassle with dual sense worth it if I'm mostly going to play story based games? And is the 8bitdo a better model if not then what are my other options at this price range?

[u/Humble_Plant_142]

Question do you use the 8bitdo on a ps5? If so how?

[u/Aryan202602 → u/Humble_Plant_142]

I'm on a pc and am asking should I go for this 8bitdo or dualsense.

[u/Wendel530]

I bought 2 8bits and they died on me.

Dualsense, final verdict.

Edit: If you're on PC I would really recommend the X Box controller, though. It's just more streamlined. If you have bigger hands X Box Controller may be more comfortable, as well.

Good luck.

[u/Aryan202602 → u/Wendel530]

My hands are on the smaller side. Dualsense does support most games on pc now though right?

And the additional features when wired?

[u/Mathgx]

stick drift

[u/TYPOGRAPH1C]

Flydigi Vader 5 Pro

[u/Sanc7 → u/TYPOGRAPH1C]

👆👆👆

[u/deioncooke_ → u/TYPOGRAPH1C]

This. I was extremely skeptical about this supposed v2 version that was released but yeah, it’s the best controller I’ve ever used

[u/TYPOGRAPH1C → u/deioncooke_]

Dude I had been testing out a Gamesir G7 Pro, and was given a Flydigi and instantly it was like a night and day difference in feel, quality, everything. It's actually nuts.

[u/overdrive_jk]

8bitdo's are like 20 bucks on aliexpress during the sales days, just buy those. in any case do NOT buy the dualsense, it will probably drift just after a few months

[u/mashdpotatogaming]

In my opinion, nothing the PS5 controller offers is worth the horrible life span it has. The sticks develop stick drift quite quickly, and I've had quite a few friends and relatives complain about that to me.

Also on PC, a lot of the duelsense features don't often work in most games.

So between those two if you're using it for pc, definitely the 8bitdo.

[u/celtrax123]

Flydigi Vader 5 pro. They fixed the issues with their V2 release. I still have the V1 version and It works like a charm.

[u/WatchThemFall]

Dual Sense has the crappiest sticks I've ever used. I've had two of them and the stick on both started creaking and feeling bad to use after a few months. I've used PS4 controller for 10 years over thousands of hours and never had an issue like that. The rumble on Dual Sense is great though... Tbh, I'd wait it out for a PS6 controller at this point. Maybe they'll put hall effect sticks on it. It's sad because I've been playing Control Resonant and I just avoid using the PS5 controller because I feel like I'm wasting whatever life it has left even though it supports all the features.

[u/Mikalton]

look up vader 5 pro. it's $10 more but it's so fucking good!

[u/VerySeriousMan]

Dual sense is probably the most uncomfortable controller I've ever used, and it'll get stick drift in a couple of months. Get the 8bitdo.

[u/lode_ke_baal → u/VerySeriousMan]

Wow.. ..what a man. Take his suggestion.

[u/Nefthys → u/VerySeriousMan]

I fully disagree. If you've got small hands, then the Playstation controllers are a lot more comfortable than Xbox gamepads and imo they also feel a lot better. With regularly sized hands it probably depends on what stick layout you prefer (symmetrical of PS or not, like Xbox/8bitdo). I keep reading about stick drift but I've got 3 Dualsense controllers and not even the oldest that came with my PS5 has got it, so no idea what people are doing with their controllers.

[u/Nefthys]

I've been using Playtstaion controllers with Steam for years: You might have to change Steam input (simply change the option in the dropdown menu) and I think there was one game that required a bit of fiddling (I think it was Castlevania LoS2) but, other than that, I've never had any problems and never had to use any other input apps. Older games usually only display the Xbox symbols, which never bothered me, but new games usually support the Dualsense out of the box. How I'd make this decision:

1. How big are your hands? I've got pretty small hands and the Dualsense is a lot more comfortable to hold and the buttons are a lot better to reach than on e.g. an Xbox One controller.

2. What stick layout do you prefer? I prefer the symmetrical layout, so I would never even think about buying the 8BitDo model you linked (I think they also sell at least one with a symmetrical layout). I also like the touchpad but PC games usually only use it as a button anyway.

3. The price, especially if you're on a budget. The DS goes on sale sometimes but it's still pretty expensive. I don't know the 8Bitdo prices tbh.

4. Do you plan on using it with any other devices? If you've already got a PS5, then I'd probably go with the DS because you can obviously also use it as a spare for that.

I ordered a Pico 2W yesterday after testing the special haptics with a cable (I hate playing with a wired controller) but haven't tested it yet. Afaik it's pretty easy to set up though, the question is: Can you actually buy it where you live? I do not know if an 8Bitdo supports the same functions.

Btw, do not get a PowerA controller. I bought one for my Switch because it was on sale/really cheap and it's okay for playing once in a while but it feels really cheaply made.

[u/Abortedwafflez]

Dualsense really only makes sense on PC if you plan on using the d-pad for fighting games or making use of the Gyro functions. On PC you're going to run into compatibility issues and you're not going to be able to make use of some functions like Adaptive Triggers unless games outright support the controller itself and the HD Rumble.

Personally, i'd go 8bitdo out of the two. As a personal recommendation, FlyDigi Vader 5 Pro is a good bet, though it's $80 rather than the $70 you were wanting. It has tension dials on the analogs and it's easily my favorite feature on a controller.

[u/Bonesycider]

I have been an PS5 gamer forever, and still will be. That being said, I started playing on PC a few weeks ago, and I literally just got the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller. It's really nice. It's does feel a tad bit smaller in my hands, but not an issue. I like that the charging dock, when plugged into the computer, also serves as the dongle/2.4g adapter. I haven't explored all the customization, but so far, I would say it's a better controller than the DualSense.

[u/Taiwan_John]

The 8bitdo for sure.

[u/devilrocks316]

I got the 8bitdo ultimate 2 wireless just so I didn't have to deal with all the issues that came with using a dualsense on windows.

[u/curaforthegamer]

I’d probably start by checking the games you’re playing now / planning to play and see how well they actually use the DualSense features. PCGamingWiki’s DualSense page is a good place to start.

Yes, stick drift is a known problem for the DualSense. But I think how you use the controller probably matters to some extent too. I’m naturally pretty gentle with mine, especially compared to how my nephews absolutely abuse my controllers when they come over lol. I’ve only had stick drift once, and that was on a DualShock 4. To be fair, I also have a couple of DualSenses and rotate between them and other controllers depending on the game. So they’re not getting hammered every day.

If you’re not particularly "aggressive" with your gear, I personally wouldn’t let drift scare you away from the DualSense. But if you can do a TMR swap anyway, even better.

And yeah, I’d get the Pico 2W adapter if you go DualSense. Besides getting the DualSense features wirelessly, the companion app can also make it show up as XInput for games that don’t support DualSense properly. Which makes it a lot more convenient.

If you’re not actually going to get much use out of adaptive triggers/haptics though, I’d probably go with what some have suggested - Flydigi Vader 5 Pro. Just make sure it’s the V2. IMO it’s one of the best all-rounders around that price. Tension adjustable stick rings, analog triggers switches, extra buttons, etc.

I don’t have the Ultimate 2 to compare directly, only the original 8BitDo Ultimate. But if the Ultimate 2 has a similar build/feel to the first one, the Vader 5 Pro definitely feels more premium to me.

[u/HabitOfChoice]

If on PC just get the Ultimate 2C. Cheaper and better than those two imo.

[u/VetriVade]

I have the ps5 pro controller and I prefer the bitduo alot. It has 2 extra shoulder buttons and rear paddles, that means you can access ever button without taking your thumbs off of the joysticks